Mairead Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein)
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158. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the percentage of gardaí who have received training in dealing with reports of domestic abuse; if there is a plan to increase this percentage or to roll-out such training to all members of An Garda Síochána; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58375/22]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I am deeply committed to tackling domestic, sexual and gender based violence in all its forms, and to supporting victims of such heinous crimes. I know this is a commitment which is shared by the Garda Commissioner.

As the Deputy will be aware, in June, I launched the new whole-of-government strategy to combat domestic, sexual, gender-based violence. This new plan has a particular focus on prevention, and on ensuring victims are better supported. It sets an overall goal of zero tolerance in our society for domestic violence.

I know from engaging with the Commissioner that An Garda Síochána also attaches the highest priority to combatting all forms of domestic abuse and to helping and protecting those that are victims of this hideous crime. Operation Faoiseamh, launched at the start of the pandemic, is an ongoing proactive initiative designed to ensure victims of domestic abuse are supported and protected. It ensures domestic abuse incidents receive the highest priority response from Gardaí.

In addition, Divisional Protective Service Units have been rolled out across the country and are now available in every Garda division. This means that specially trained officers are available nationwide who will be responsible for engagement with, and interviewing of, vulnerable victims. This ensures that when vulnerable victims of crimes such as domestic abuse and sexual violence present to Gardaí, they are met with specialist professional and expert assistance.

In relation to the specific information sought by the Deputy, I am informed by An Garda Síochána that a domestic violence course went live in April 2021 and is mandatory for all sworn members of An Garda Síochána, Reserve Gardaí and other relevant sections including some unsworn Garda Staff. The training consists of nine (9) sessions as follows:

- Understanding Domestic Abuse

- Domestic Violence Act 2018 & Domestic Abuse Orders

- High Risk Indicators

- Coercive Control

-Call Procedure

- Post Incident Engagement

- Criminal Process - Bail

- Garda Investigation File Preparation and

- PULSE (data quality).

Additional training is also being delivered to personnel on the use of a ‘Risk Evaluation Tool’ by Garda members when assessing the risks and vulnerabilities of victims to ensure they receive the service and supports they need. As of November 2022, over eighty-one percent (81%) of applicable Garda personnel (of various ranks/grades) have completed these modules in domestic violence and this training initiative is ongoing.

Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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159. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of refugee spaces for victims/survivors of domestic violence/gender-based violence currently being funded by her Department in each county. [58458/22]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware the Government will establish a statutory agency with a dedicated focus on Domestic Sexual and Gender-Based Violence. The agency will have a specific mandate to drive the implementation of the Zero Tolerance: Third National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence across Government, bringing the expertise and focus required to tackle this complex social issue. Pending establishment of the Agency, responsibility for the allocation of funding for domestic violence services continues to be channeled through Tusla.As this will continue to be the case until services formally transfer to the new DSGBV agency I have referred the question posed by the Deputy to Tusla for direct reply